Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz live score, results, highlights from 2025 US Open men’s tennis semifinals

By | September 5, 2025
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Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are two of tennis’s greatest showmen, known for chasing down even the most unruly shots. They’ll put their skills to the test in front of a raucous crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens.

Both players have delivered strong performances at the US Open so far. Djokovic ousted No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz to secure a spot in the semifinals, while Alcaraz has yet to drop a set in the tournament. He’ll need to be at his absolute best to keep that streak alive against Djokovic.

The pair has met eight times in their careers, with Djokovic holding a 5-3 edge. The Serbian has been especially dominant against Alcaraz on hard courts, winning in Cincinnati (2023), the ATP Finals (2023), and the Australian Open (2025). Can he extend his advantage with another win over the Spaniard?

The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Friday’s match between Djokovic and Alcaraz. Follow below for updates, highlights, and live analysis as two of tennis’s grandest competitors vie for a spot in the US Open final.

STREAM: Watch Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz live with Fubo (free trial)

Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz live score

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Novak Djokovic 4 6 (4) 2 x x
Carlos Alcaraz 6 7(7) 4 x x

Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz live updates, results, highlights from 2025 US Open semifinals

(All times Eastern)

5:33 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 4-1 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz takes Game 6 with an ace, inching closer to moving onto the US Open Final.  

5:29 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 3-1 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic recorded a pair of double faults, seeing his serve broken. He looks lacking in confidence at the moment.

5:25 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 2-1 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz gobbles up another service game. He’s been dominant when the ball is on his stick.

5:20 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 1-1 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic responds with a service game win. He’s still fighting.

5:15 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 0-1 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz starts the third set like he ended the second, putting Djokovic in awkward positions en route to a first-game win.

Third set

5:12 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) Novak Djokovic: Djokovic’s return goes wide! Alcaraz takes the point and the set! He’s got a two-set lead over the Serbian.

5:11 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (6-5) Novak Djokovic: Another booming Alcaraz serve evades Djokovic’s reach. He’s one game away.

5:10 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (5-4) Novak Djokovic: Djokovic moves one game closer with a strong point. The crowd is on their feet here at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

5:09 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (5-3) Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz responds with a point of his own. He’s two points away from a second set win.

5:08 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (4-3) Novak Djokovic: Wondrous drop shot from Alcaraz brings out an even better one from Djokovic, who moves one point short of tying things up in the tiebreaker.

5:07 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (4-2) Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz misses an easy forehand. That gives Djokovic some life.

5:06 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (4-1) Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz back in control with a 4-1 lead. Not looking great for Djokovic.

5:05 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (3-1) Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz responds with a quick point via a Djokovic unforced error.

5:03 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (2-1) Novak Djokovic: Gutsy stuff from Djokovic, who delivers a drop shot that had Alcaraz scrambling. Alcaraz responded with a drop shot of us his own, bringing out the lob from Djokovic, who got his effort high enough to secure the point.

5:02 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (2-0) Novak Djokovic: It’s hard to stop Alcaraz on his serve. He nabs another point to give himself a little distance in the tiebreaker.

5:01 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 (1-0) Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz gets first blood, besting Djokovic’s serve.

5:00 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 6-6 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz takes yet another service game. We’re on to a tiebreaker.

4:55 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 5-6 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic records another perfect game and moves one game closer of a set victory. Let’s see if Alcaraz can use his wondrous serve to set up a tiebreaker

4:53 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 5-5 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz ties it up…again. We’re headed for a barnburner in the final few games of the second set.

4:47 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 4-5 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic rallies from 0-30 down to take the game. He’s one game away from leveling the score at one set apiece.

4:42 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 4-4 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz holds serve to knot the score at four games apiece in the second set. Djokovic worked his way back from an 0-40 hole. But he wasn’t able to hold off Alcaraz, who spiked a fastball beyond the Serbian’s reach.

4:36 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 4-3 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic stops the bleeding with a perfect seventh-game victory. He needed that one.

4:34 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 3-3 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz looks to have warded off Djokovic’s best attack. He levels the set at three with a violent forehand and sumptuous drop shot in back-to-back points. Now, Djokovic is back under pressure.

4:29 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 2-3 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz breaks Djokovic’s serve to climb back into the set. The quality of tennis has gone up. a level in recent games. Alcaraz’s wicked backhand danced along the sideline past a sprawling Djokovic. The Serbian could do little more than applaud his adversary.

4:25 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 1-3 Novak Djokovic: Alcaraz stems the tide with a service game win. He’s off the board in the second set.

4:20 p.m. Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 0-3 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic has won three straight games to start the set. This old dog still has new tricks. We’ll see if Alcaraz can make any adjustments to quell Djokovic’s rhythm.

4:17 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 0-2 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic breaks Alcaraz’s serve! He’s equal to Alcaraz’s efforts, delivering a lobbed attempt to keep the Spaniard on his toes. Alcaraz was unable to corral his ensuing forehand, which strayed beyond the end line to give Djokovic a momentous game. He’s animated as he strides back to his coaching box. Can you blame him?

4:15 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 0-1 Novak Djokovic: Djokovic found his rhythm in the first game of the second set, climbing out of an 0-30 hole to take the first game.

Second set

4:12 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 6-Novak Djokovic 4: Alcaraz takes the first set, using his booming serve to put Djokovic in trouble. First strike goes to the 22-year old Spaniard.

4:10 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 5-Novak Djokovic 4: Alcaraz surrenders a game at Djokovic’s expense. He needs another one to fully get back into the match.

4:05 p.m.: Carlos Alaraz 5-Novak Djokovic 3: Alcaraz breaks Djokovic’s serve. He’s one stop away from landing a momentous first set victory.

3:55 p.m.: Carlos Alvarez 4-Novak Djokovic 3: The Serb notches another win against Alcaraz. This is especially notable, with Alcaraz surrendering his break as a result.

3:48 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 4-Novak Djokovic 2: Alcaraz collects another game after overwhelming Djokovic with his serve.

3:45 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 3-Novak Djokovic 2: Djokovic claims his second game of the set after Alcaraz’s drop shot crashes into the net.

3:42 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 3-Novak Djokovic 1: Alcaraz responds with a flurry, doing just enough to best Djokovic in the ensuing game. The 38-year old did paint the corner with a backhand, though.

3:40 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 2-Novak Djokovic 1: The Serb gets one back, saving Alcaraz’s break point before ripping a 124 mph serve past his adversary. Djokovic is officially on the board.

3:39 p.m: Carlos Alcaraz 2-Novak Djokovic 0: Alcaraz holds serve after launching a pair of serves wide of Djokovic’s range.

3:37 p.m.: Carlos Alcaraz 1-Novak Djokovic 0: Alcaraz quickly broke Djokovic’s serve, capitalizing on a few unruly efforts from the Serbian.

First set

3:35 p.m.: And we’re off! The first men’s semifinal is underway!

3:25 p.m.: As a reminder, Djokovic leads the all-time series vs. Alcaraz, 5-3. He has yet to lose to the Spaniard on a hard court.

3:15 p.m.: After hours of waiting, Djokovic and Alcaraz are finally out on the court. Expect fireworks from Arthus Ashe Stadium this afternoon.

How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz

  • TV channel: ESPN, Tennis Channel
  • Live stream: Fubo, ESPN+

Djokovic and Alcaraz’s duel will air on ESPN and Tennis Channel nationally. Cord-cutters can follow the action on ESPN+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial.

MORE: What to know about Carlos Alcaraz’s net worth, career earnings

What time does Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz start?

  • Date: Friday, Sept. 5
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET

Friday’s semifinal match between Djokovic and Alcaraz is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET. Like all other US Open matches, Friday’s joust will take place at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.

MORE: Breaking down the historic prize money at the 2025 US Open

US Open 2025 tennis schedule

Here’s a look ahead at the final week of action at the 2025 US Open. 

Events Date
Men’s Semifinals, Women’s Doubles Finals Friday, September 5
Women’s Finals, Men’s Doubles Final Saturday, September 6
Men’s Finals Sunday, September 7

MORE: Breaking down Carlos Alcaraz’s Grand Slam tournament history

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